Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: May 18, 2023
Date Accepted: Sep 29, 2023
Gay App Use, Sexuality Traits, and High-risk Sexual Behaviors among Men Who Have Sex with Men in China: A Mediation Analysis
ABSTRACT
Background:
Gay geosocial networking apps, also known as gay apps, have gained increasing popularity in the Men who have sex with men (MSM) community. Certain sexuality traits and gay app use are both associated with high-risk sexual behaviors among MSM. However, little is known about the underlying mechanism of such relationships.
Objective:
Based on the Uses and Gratifications theory, the current study aimed to test the mediation effect of gay app use on the relationship between sexuality traits (sexual compulsivity and sexual sensation seeking) and high-risk sexual behaviors (multiple sexual partners and unprotected anal intercourse) among MSM.
Methods:
A cross-sectional, multi-center study was conducted from August to October 2020. A representative sample of 402 MSM was recruited through respondent-driven sampling. A self-administered online structured questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic information, high-risk sexual behaviors, gay app use, sexual compulsivity, and sexual sensation seeking. Path analysis was conducted to assess the mediation effect.
Results:
Our study showed that 67% of MSM used gay apps to seek potential sexual partners, 54% of MSM have engaged in unprotected anal intercourse, and 40% of MSM have had multiple sexual partners. Sexuality traits affected high-risk behaviors both directly and indirectly through gay app use.
Conclusions:
High-risk sexual behaviors are common among MSM. Most MSM rely on gay apps to find sexual partners, which, when combined with higher levels of sexual compulsivity and sexual sensation seeking, can increase the likelihood of engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors. Therefore, interventions aimed at reducing these behaviors among MSM should focus on addressing the use of gay apps, while also considering the influence of their sexuality traits on gay app use.
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